Sale-topper at Old Ashrose goes to EP

In the main auction, there was full clearance of 100 Poll Merino rams and 20 Merinos. The Poll Merinos averaged $2332 and the Merinos $1805, for an overall average of $2244.

The mini auction also had full clearance of 20 Poll Merinos and nine Merinos, topping at $1300 and averaging $1103.

Buyer of the top price ram, a Poll Merino, at $8000 was return client Stephen Nankivell, Tumby Bay.

Mr Nankivell said he was particularly impressed by the wool quality of the ram, as well as its bloodlines.

It’s sire was Old Ashrose PEH 445, which was sold to the Manunda and Claypans studs in WA for $45,000. 

The top price ram weighed 122 kilograms, with a body weight percentage of 120 per cent, a greasy fleece weight percentage of 120pc and it measured 117.5 on the Dual Purpose 8% index. 

Its fleece was 20.7 micron, with 3.5 standard deviation, 16.9 coefficient of variation and 99 per cent comfort factor.

Buying the second-highest price ram at $7400, also a Poll Merino, were James and Ed Morgan, Mutooroo, Cockburn, who has also paid the top price at Old Ashrose in previous years.

The ram was also sired by PEH 445, and weighed 115.5kg, with 130pc body weight percentage, 138pc greasy fleece weight percentage and it measured 132.1 on the Dual Purpose 8% index.

Its fleece was 20.8M, with 2.7SD, 12.8CV and 99.6CF.

The volume buyer at the sale has strong ties to the Old Ashrose stud.

James Milson, Longreach, Qld, jackarooed at Old Ashrose in the mid 1980s.

“I wanted to work in the sheep industry, which was going through a boom time in the 1980s,” Mr Milson said.

“I applied to a lot of places and I was lucky enough to get a job here at Old Ashrose.”

Mr Milson worked at Old Ashrose for two years, which he said was a great experience. 

He bought 31 rams to $3000, averaging $1745.

Buying the top price Merino at $3200 were return clients Ian and Angus Gunn, Mount Cooper. All up, the Gunns bought seven rams, averaging $2800.

The sale was conducted by Elders with Tony Wetherall and Jack Coleman auctioneering.

Mr Wetherall said Old Ashrose was renowned for producing big, productive, heavy-cutting sheep with terrific carcase.

“I travel across the state doing a lot of ram sales, and to see the consistency in the presentation and the performance of Old Ashrose’s rams is just outstanding,” he said.

“The interest from repeat buyers from across SA and interstate is a testimony to their performance in many, ,and varying, environments.”

Old Ashrose principal Nick Wadlow said he was ecstatic the sale went as well as it did.

“It’s terrific to see the widespread support from buyers all across the state and interstate,” he said.

“Considering a lot of areas where our rams are going are very dry, by having that support at the sale, I think it shows how well the industry is travelling at the moment.”

A RANGE of new buyers helped lift the clearance rate and top price at Old Ashrose’s second White Suffolk sale.

There was full clearance of 50 rams and a solid average of $1084.

The top price at $2000 was achieved twice and it was $200 up on last year.

One of the top price rams was sold to new buyer Robert Butterick, Butterick Bros, Caltowie.

It measured 10.6 for weaning weight, 16.5 for post-weaning weight and 1.4 for post-weaning eye muscle depth, with a Carcase Plus Index rating of 200.8.

Mr Butterick decided to attend the sale as he was a former client of the dispersed Wheetelande stud at Farrell Flat, a bloodline on which the Old Ashrose flock is based on. Old Ashrose purchased foundation ewes from Wheetelande’s dispersal sale in 2016 and were fortunate to have the stud’s Bob Neill assist with classing and cataloguing this year’s rams.

Mr Butterick also purchased a further two rams at $1500 and $1000.

The other top price purchasers, MR&JA Piggott, Orroroo, also bought last year’s highest price White Suffolk.

The Piggott’s top price ram had measurements of 10.8WWT, 16.7PWWT, 1.5PEMD and 202.8 on the Carcase Plus Index.

Both buying five rams were new client ML Jaeschke & Co, Clare, paying to $1800, averaging $1240, and return bidder North Benalla Props, Hallett, paying to $1200, averaging $920.

Other new buyers CJ&AM Clark & Sons, Jamestown, bought four rams to $1200, averaging $920, while Windjara Ag, Spalding, took three to $1400, averaging $1333.

Old Ashrose principal Nick Wadlow said he was happy with how the White Suffolks sold.

“There was a lot of new buyers, which was really pleasing,” he said.

“I think the support shows the buoyancy in the lamb industry at the moment.”